The Basics

[breakingwaves]

Tom F

Tom F

Maybe I should have asked how many cardiologists does the average heart patient go through. With my first experience being no where near the answer, I will be seeing my second one myself, and I think I have just begun. I have big hope that this one will be a better fit.

 

[geebee]

Cardio docs.

Cardio docs.

Just make sure you find a cardio who listens to you and doesn't rush through things. It make take a few to find the ONE, but he (or she) is out there. I have been lucky to find 3 during my various home bases (New Jersey, Cincinnati and Los Angeles). I have fired many more.
I always start out with a list of questions. If the doc acts annoyed/arrogant/in a rush/patronizing or similar attitudes, I thank him and wish him well, ask for my file and leave. Some of the responses have been priceless.

To answer a question you posed - usually the wires stay in you and usually there is no problem with them. Some folks do have pain/infections, etc. and then they can be removed but usually it's not necessary.

Good luck in your search.
Gina

 

[breakingwaves]

geebee

geebee

well the first one saw me for about 5 minutes, with a student. Not knowing anything I look sort of dumb founded when I ended up spending more time with the nurse checking out the insurance. I am so hoping it goes bettter than that, or I may well take your advice. this seems like it has been lots of years wasted on information because I felt intimidated about these professionals.

The first doctor who gave me a clue that everything wasn't actually okay was a ob - gyn who as luck would have it I see tomorrow, who told me to check with my then family physician who saw his report and then ignored it years ago. I wish these whole array of doctors who don't see this things could practice more preventive medicine.

 

[Tom F.]

Breaking - in answer to your question about cardiologists, I can tell you that first I went to a local cardiology group in Chicago's subs. I was not totally pleased with what they were telling me, and after an afternoon on the internet I quickly learned that they probably could not offer all of the options that a major heart center teaching hospital could. So I then visited Northwestern Memorial and Rush University, and at both found wonderful doctors that seemed to know much more than some of the others. In the end I picked a surgeon and cardiologist at Rush. My advice to anyone is that when it comes to heart surgery, find the best people you can, and more often than not, they are at the major teaching hospitals.